Tsuba with design of waves and nets

Artist Choshu

Artist Nagato, Of tomotsune

Date18th century

MediumIron

DimensionsDiameter: 2 7/8 inches (7.3 cm)

PeriodEdo period

ClassificationsArmor

Credit LineMemorial gift from the Estate of Charles W. Hay, Class of 1925

Terms

Decorative Arts
Sword accessories
Iron
Japanese

Object number73.005.007

Label CopyBRIEF DESCRIPTION This is a sword guard from a samurai sword. WHERE WAS IT MADE? This item was made in Japan during the Edo period (1615-1868). HOW WAS IT MADE? This tsuba was handcrafted from iron. HOW WAS IT USED? The tsuba, or sword guard, lies between the hilt and the blade of a samurai sword. The tsbua served to prevent the hand from sliding down the hilt and onto the blade during combat. It consists of an obverse (front) and reverse side. The obverse side is the one that would face the opponent, while the reverse side would come in contact with the hand of the user. For this reason, traditionally tsuba were kept smooth on the reverse side. WHY DOES IT LOOK LIKE THIS? During the peaceful Edo period, sword fittings were seldom created for swords that were to be used in battle. Instead, these fittings, such as the tsuba, became a medium for artistic work, appreciated for their exquisite workmanship, variety of designs, and refined beauty. Whereas until around the 1650s, only a small number of motifs were typically used to decorate the sword fittings, in the following years of the Edo period the artists who made these fittings took inspiration from images in books, characters in folktales, and other popular cultural and natural motifs. Swords and their fittings served as status items for samurai. A sword owner would select motifs that expressed his tastes, values and interests. On this particular tsuba, openings have been made in the iron to resemble the pattern of a fishing net. A decoration of waves has been engraved into the surface of each side. Notice the shape of the central hole of the tsuba; it permitted the blade of the sword to pass through. Frequently one or two secondary holes are seen on tsuba; these were made to accommodate other small sword fittings, the kozuka (a small utility knife) and the kogai (a small hairdressing tool shaped like a skewer.)

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